Talented teens make up 2013 Youth Leadership Bay County class

View full sizeMembers of the 2013 Youth Leadership Bay County class met with Mlive Media Group Community News Director Rob Clark on Friday, March 1, at Consumers Energy's Karn-Weadock Generating Complex in Hampton Township. Clark worked with the students to write an original song titled "Bricks" about their experience in the leadership program. Graduation takes place Wednesday, March 13, at the State Theatre in downtown Bay City.Courtesy Photo

It's not easy for teenagers to open up to each other, let alone some 40-year-old guy who they don't know from Adam.

So there I was, standing in front of this year's Youth Leadership Bay County class the morning of Friday, March 1. It felt for a minute like I had been magically transported into a scene from the movie "The Breakfast Club."

They were looking at me like I was Principal Richard Vernon. It was quiet. There was little eye contact. Neither side knew what to expect.

I introduced myself and told them we'd be spending the next two hours exploring our creative sides together. A few eyes perked up. Some expressions turned to fear. Like I said, teenagers aren't typically comfortable expressing themselves in front of a room full of their peers.

But I was confident — given the fact that these are the leaders of tomorrow — that our time together would be valuable and produce something amazing.

The students did not disappoint.

By 11 a.m. that morning, we had crafted an original song — the lyrics and the tune — called "Bricks." It's the story of how this class has grown together since first meeting in November. The students explained how at that first meeting they were nervous, scared and unsure what to expect. They expressed that in their lyrics:

Sitting on the stand

As my jury fills the room

27 judges

About to seal my doom

Four months later, these kids have bonded, forged new friendships and discovered leadership qualities many never knew they had. They are more confident and have a better understanding of their place in the community. That feeling also came through:

For if we are all bricks

Bound with memories that drip

As we stand here hand in hand

The storms and problems come

But when the raven weather's done

We stand, the wall stands strong

In the midst of our songwriting, I challenged the class members to craft their thoughts into poetry. We then gathered and I had each student read aloud to the group. Not only did they all share these intimate thoughts, some broke into song. I was impressed.

There was much fist-bumping.

It's not surprising this group was able to finish an entire song before lunch. For the past four months, class members also worked together on community visioning projects they'll present during graduation ceremonies set for 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the historic State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

If these projects are anywhere near the quality of their song, then our community is in for a treat. It's also clear to me that our community has a very bright future. The talent, creativity and enthusiasm these kids possess is remarkable.

So is the investment these young people have made to develop those skills through the Youth Leadership program, which is a real treasure.

Established 12 years ago, Youth Leadership is an offering of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. This year's class of 27 sophomores and juniors is the largest ever, according to coordinator Jo Ellen Strieter.

The program consists of leadership skills training, as well as community-focused sessions exploring topics like local government, the arts, history, business and law enforcement. "The goal is to prepare students for constructive, responsible participation and leadership in community affairs," Strieter wrote in a letter about the program.

To all of you, I offer my congratulations. I look forward to seeing some of your faces again as you become important leaders in our community. I also say, "thank you" for allowing me to be a part of your lives if only for only a couple hours.